Becoming a Mademoiselle, Part Trois

Looking back... there are bits and pieces of France that I think might have stuck with me. There are things I still think in French. When I get dressed, there's definitely a chic-er more thoughtful side of me. The other day John asked me to list the 7 things I most loved about France. Before I left Lyon, he asked me to write down these things as well as the 7 things I hated most and he kept them.

1. THE food! you all know I love food but there are so many things that I wish I could have here in the States... I think I wrote boulangerie/patisserie as my first thing I love about France but we'll just say its all kinds of food haha... I love gratin dauphinois, the mini tarte aux framboises, the tarte aux pommes John's mom makes, the Lyonnais quenelle, foie gras, salade Lyonnais with the lardon (cooked, haha), saucisson, pate croute, steak hache, the mustard mayonnaise that John loves, the baguettes, pain au chocolat, croissants, crepes... and how odd they are sometimes... who eats a sandwich with ham and butter? and puts their hot dog in a baguette... its all so good though... their little Kinder chocolate eggs... They are divine and I bought a handful of bags that I was so scared they would find and take away from me when I got to customs haha... I could go on forever...

2. The Olympique Lyonnais! It's hard not to fall in love with football (soccer) when you're a city of fans who are so passionate and the team never fails to deliver. I'm not even sure if I should say soccer know that I'm back in the States since I've gotten so used to football. I was thrilled to have watched their 7th Championship win before I left Lyon. I really love the team and I get anxious hearing about who made the French team and who will be leaving and joining the team for the next season.

3. The shopping, the clothes, their style... I would have to say our peers in France... really know how to dress. I'm not sure if it was just the school we attended but the girls always looked put together. And the guys, too! It wasn't like in the States where you can just roll out of bed and go to class in sweats. I loved everything from their boots, jackets, scarves, skinny jeans and bags...



One thing I didn't mention... that I've been meaning to blog about was the music. Their popular music is a mix of French and English music. The English music is from American artists, as well as artists from UK and the rest of Europe. Their club songs were just a little bit behind the U.S. but perhaps even more wildly popular. Europeans like a lot of house and trance and then there's the weird French rap... lol. Oh, and I sort of rediscovered Mika there. I have heard Mika on TV shows and commercials but only in France did I find out who he was.

Some of the most popular songs:
Rihanna - Please Don't Stop The Music
Britney Spears - Gimme More
Alicia Keys - No One
Yael Naim - New Soul
Yelle - Je Veux Te Voir
Renan Luce - Les Voisines
Melissa - Cette Fois
Sheryfa Luna - Il Avait Les Mots
Ida Corr - Let Me Think About It
Laurent Wolf - No Stress
Sugababes - About You Now
Superbus - Travel the World
Kylie Minogue - In My Arms
Daft Punk - Around the World & Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
David Guetta - Delirious

Other things I love include the cleanest and fastest metro I've ever ridden. And of course, this honor belongs to Lyon. :) I like that they know how to take their time and relax. No need to rush. Lyon is in the heart of France and is just two hours from Paris and from the Mediterranean. This makes it easy to travel and by plane you can get anywhere in just about two hours as well. I love that you have everything you can ask for in a city when you're in Lyon. You have beautiful buildings, park, two rivers, nightlife, restaurants, culture, history, shopping... all packaged nicely for you into one city. You can probably guess what my 7th love was... It starts with a J and ends with an O-H-N. Haha. John really made my time in France just that much more interesting.

I truly do miss the life there. When I first came back, everyone asked if it felt weird and if I missed it. At first, I didn't. I was excited to be back. I had missed so much here at home that I didn't really realize what I had left behind. It worries me because I tend to forget things quickly. I don't ever want to forget walking around the streets of our neighborhood and shopping in the grocery store not understanding the labels of what you're buying. I don't want to forget how uncomfortable it can be living in a culture that does things a little different and how I had to learn to listen and try to pick up the language. If I could do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat. It wasn't a perfect experience but I think that's the beauty of it. The imperfections are what teach you to try harder next time and keep an open mind. I'll never have the life I lived there again and that saddens me. But I am a lucky girl to have had it at all. I can't tell you how important it is to give yourself a chance to try it. It is really one of the best times of your life.

A Moroccan Experience

I was originally supposed to arrive back in the US on May 9th. However, I delayed my return so that I could fit in one last trip. I really wanted to go to Morocco and everything there is relatively cheap. The culture seemed rich with their mint tea, souks, leathers and carpets, and colorful tunics. It was nice to go somewhere 'exotic' with John and discover new things in AFRICA, the first time for both of us. We were so excited to go but to be honest didn't do much planning for this trip.

Our experience in Morocco was a bit eye-opening. There were a few things we knew before we left but it still felt very unexpected when we actually came across certain things in reality. We flew into Casablanca and stayed from the 12th of May until the 16th. We took a day trip to Rabat, the capital, as well.

There wasn't too much to see in terms of sightseeing. We saw the Hassan II Mosque, 2nd or 3rd largest in the world. We tried to go to the beach. We went to the souks in the Old and New Medina. I think our favorite part of the trip was our free daily breakfast of mint tea, the best orange juice ever, baguettes and croissants served with jam, butter and cheese! And the fact that you can go almost anywhere for super cheap in a taxi.

Moroccan Experience #1:
The first morning during our yummy breakfast, John a learned a very important lesson. He took his tea outside with him to smoke only to have some stranger take the cigarette from his hand to take a puff and then a sip of his tea. I guess Moroccans like to share. Note to smokers: bring extra with you.

Moroccan Experience #2:
After visiting the Hassan II Mosque, we had McDonalds for lunch. We had plans to go to the beaches in Ain Diab but we were already along the Corniche where there was a public (and free) beach right at the McDonalds. There were a lot of locals and we didn't see any tourists around but decided to lay out for a while. I had some soda left from lunch so I brought it to the beach. The minute I step foot onto the beach a little boy comes running up grabbing up at my drink. I was confused but didn't really want it anymore so I gave it to the boy. The boy went running off drinking my soda and he had other kids running after him trying to get some too. How bizarre... and gross.

There is a second part to this experience at the beach. If there is one thing that I had a hard time dealing with was the staring. Moroccans like to stare. I don't know if it's because they hear me speaking English or if it's because they have never seen an Asian person before. But everywhere I went I got a look from 97% of the people around me. I couldn't get a tan because I had to keep my legs and arms covered all the time and yet I still got stared at.

Soon after we sat down, we had these kids who began to creep around us. It wasn't long before they found a spot very close to us. They lied in front of us, just staring. They would ask for money and keep trying to get our attention. We simply ignored and thought they would stop. I'm talking to John and all of a sudden a gust of sand comes our way. Wow, were they serious? They were throwing sand at us. John started talking to them and they kept asking for money and asking if I was Chinese. It's amazing how much these kids don't know.

John lost his ring in the sand as we were trying to leave the beach. He started digging around in the sand. The kids soon caught on and came over to look with him. John offered a couple dirhams to whoever could find it. In a matter of minutes, we were surrounded by a crowd of people watching what was going on. An adult came and stopped all the kids from what they were doing. Again, I was confused because then he started to help John look for the ring. It was quite the scene.

Moroccan Experience #3:
We were in Rabat and had just visited something like another mosque and mausoleum of some sort. We were walking to find a taxi to find the Royale Palais when a girl comes up to us asking us what our names were. She wrote my name in henna on her own hand. I told John that I really did want to get some sort of henna in Morocco since I always thought it was pretty. John asked her how much and she said only as much as we wished to give her. Before I knew it, she had the henna all over my arms. Five minutes hadn't even passed before we were drying our arms.

John gave her 20 dirhams and thanked her. She was a nice girl and had made friendly conversation. She started saying that 'it was nothing' but then proceeded to say that each side of my arm was 100 dirhams! How confusing can these people be! She's demanding more money yet not taking the money John is putting in her hand, after she had already told us it was up to us. Honestly, she did a sloppy job. I mean how can you do a nice design in just a couple minutes? John was furious and ended up giving her the equivalent of almost 8 euros! When it dried off, it just looks like orange marker doodled all over my arm and it still hasn't faded away. Grrr.

Our time in Morocco was most definitely interesting I would say. I was glad we got the chance to go but perhaps I'll just admire it from afar. But I would still love to see other parts of Africa for sure! I think the best part about it was that we really didn't have too much of an agenda and that I had someone special to share it with. :)

Hassan II Mosque

Beach where we got harassed haha

John & I in Rabat

Crazy Henna Doodleage

The Kasbah!

Leaving Rabat

Souk in the New Medina

One of the hundreds of Petit Taxis!

Jetlagged

It's 3am and I'm not sleeping. I didn't think I would get jetlagged because I figured it's only a 6 hour difference and I'm used to staying up late. It's a little hard to sleep because it is SO cold here and I am used to having someone to keep me warm. I have been back in the States for just over a day and... well, I don't know what to think. Everyone has been saying welcome back and I'm definitely feeling the love. I'm happy and can't wait to see a lot of people I have missed.

I've also been getting a lot of "How does it feel to be back? Is it weird?" It's not really weird. I've never been so excited to see Jersey. On the plane, looking down, the Garden State is so green! It is just covered with trees and I couldn't help but stare down and smile at everything. When we pulled up into our driveway, I felt like I never left. Of course, I'm so used to the house I've been living in for 20 years. But being in this house, still makes me feel the same way it always has. When I'm home, it's the one place I feel like doing absolutely nothing.

My first day back, I didn't unpack or do laundry like I was planning on since I was on the plane. I sat around and felt miserable being so cold and losing the internet and eventually the tv too. I made a whole list of things to do and I've been looking forward to these things for the longest time, yet I have no motivation at all. Well, at least tomorrow I've made plans to see my girlfriends. Hopefully things will get better... And please, let it get warmer!

Spending Time With The Family

John's family, that is...

Over the past three months, I've been lucky enough to travel to different parts of France, even the less touristy parts. I wrote about going to Provence and meeting John's paternal grandmother in Vaison-La-Romain. In the last week, we went to Savoie to spend time at John's eodmother's house by Lac du Bourget. Then, Sunday was John's godson Camille's baptism where I met his entire maternal side of the family.

I am very happy to have these experiences but I have to admit that it is extremely nerve-wracking and sometimes embarassing being the American girlfriend who doesn't speak French. I can't really make conversation and rely on John explaining things to or for me. I spend a lot of time when eating being rather quiet and just trying to listen and understand what is going on.

So, more about Savoie. John's godmother, Germaine, has a cozy little chalet overlooking the enormous Lac du Bourget. The view is breathtaking. We went for a morning swim in Germaine's neighbor's heated pool. Then after lunch and a nap, Eric (John's dad's cousin) and his adorable daughter Lou took us for a ride on the lake. I've never really been on a small boat like that before so it was a lot of fun. Lou was even driving the boat for a little while. Afterwards, John and I played tennis and went to visit his grandfather's cemetary.

Being at the chalet was so peaceful and relaxing, it was just what we wanted after a semester of classes. Life by the lake seems very quaint and comfortable. It's a small town so everyone knows each other and I like the idea of having neighbors who come by often to talk or have lunch. France definitely seems like it has many places where I would want vacations homes!

We also went to Annecy before heading home for my last OL game. It is a cute little village with the cleanest lake in all of Europe! It was a must-see recommended by our French professor at Northeastern, Madame Catherine Dunand.

Some photos for your enjoyment:

Lac du Bourget

Pretty little Lou

John & I

Annecy

Camille and his godparents

Like Sand Through An Hourglass

So there are about 11 days left until my final departure from Lyon. I have a very busy schedule packed with last minute things to do and traveling. I'm waiting for Christina to arrive in Lyon since she has a long stop over during the early afternoon before she goes to Tunisia. Her flight was delayed and if it wasn't I probably wouldn't even have had time to write this. I barely notice how quickly time passes and have to constantly check my watch only to see I have lost yet another few hours. There just are not enough hours to get everything done and I have to admit I am barely getting any sleep even with school being done.

Tonight, we are on our way to a chalet near Annecy. Sunday, we have John's godson's baptism. Then Monday, we are off to Morocco! We have yet to pack and there are so many little errands to run. We are coming across our 'lasts' for many thing... The last time I went to our CEFAM building. We had our last dinner on Tuesday with all the Americans as a group including Paul and Sharon. Last night, I went to my last OL game. :( But they won for me, as always! Love OL! :)

It's really hard to imagine what life is going to be like in 11 days. I'll be in a place where I can understand everything again. I will be able to see the people I have been missing for 4 months. But things are definitely not the way that I left them. At least, my life isn't. Maybe it will start right where I left off. Maybe I won't notice I was even gone. Or maybe, I won't know how to deal being without the things I've gotten used to here. I have no clue what is about to happen.

I know I will miss Lyon dearly but I don't think I really know how much it will affect me to leave here. I feel like I'm in for a big surprise. The weather probably won't be as nice. I'm already beginning to think about what I will do when I get back. I have one month in Jersey before I officially move back to Boston. I want to see my best friends, old co-workers, my pledge sister, friends in NY, spend time with my brothers and family... I'm excited.

John and I always hate talking about how we will be spending three months apart. We try to avoid conversations about how we'll cope and how often we will get to talk. Even for John, time has crept up quickly. He has plans to work abroad before he comes to the States and his plans are not confirmed so he is not for sure what he will be doing for the summer. I know the summer without him and then when he does finally come... will be such a different story for us.

I don't think many people here realize that these good-byes are good-byes that will have to last a while. I just don't know when I will see some of our friends again. I'm very happy that a lot of people are coming to the States and we have tried to promise each other that we'll visit but it feels like many people don't really know that it's the 'last' time... or don't want to say it. I watch as the days pass by and there is less and less time left. At the same time, I don't feel like it's actually going to end. I probably don't want to admit it... that's how I know this is going to be really hard...

A Dream Called Provence

We took a trip to Provence last weekend to visit John's grandmother. Talk about awkward... however, still pleasant. We took the train to Orange, which is in the very north of the Provence region, and we drove out east to Vaison-La-Romaine. Almost every inch of the countryside, is covered with vineyards. It took me a bit of time to truly appreciate the beauty of Provence. The land looks barren with hundreds of thousands of small branches sticking out of the ground. There are no leaves, fruits, or any hint of color on these small branches but these are the essence of French culture--grape vines. The architecture is picturesque but a bit too 'seasoned' for my taste. I love the style of old houses but not so much the fact that they are... well, old.

The moment you can see past all of this, everything is suddenly charming... the pastel painted doors and shutters, the graceful flowered trees and the soft rolling hills, the crisp fresh air and the chirping of birds and crickets, the crystal blue sky and the bright shining sun... Life is calm and passes at a comfortable place. You can spend the afternoon doing simple things like hanging your laundry out to dry or you can go to town and people watch while having a nice aperatif before dinner. Picture yourself taking long drives in the evening... It's quaint and serene as the sun sets beyond the horizon.

This is why people fall in love with Provence. This is why French people dream of retiring to the countryside. It has become my dream and moreso a dream for my parents. I can only imagine how much my mother would enjoy such a place. She always told me that she preferred the mountains over the beach. She loves savory olives and vibrant purple just like the lavender fields of Provence. I would help her pick out the most adorable trinkets for her kitchen and we could perfect recipes for delicious gratin casseroles and fruit tartes. C'est parfait. In Provence, life itself becomes a living dream.

Food Glorious Food

You all know (or at least will learn to know) how much I love food so I wanted to dedicate an entry to the various food experiences I have had in France.

I eat totally different things here than when I am at home. Right downstairs from our apartment, there is a great boulangerie 'bakery' which has croissants, pain au chocolat and warm baguettes if you go at the right time of day. If you go anywhere else, they're just not as good. Their baguettes are great with butter or pesto but apparently you are only supposed to eat these with your meal and not as a snack. I have generous portions of fromage each evening such as Camembert and this comes after a plate of dinner. I also eat a ton of 'compote', known to Americans as applesauce, or as we call it... our favorite 'pomme fraise'. Funny thing is that I never ate it before I came to France. I didn't even like it so I'm not sure how I got so into it.

Another snack I like is the croque monseiur. They make it different everywhere and it can be very simple. It's a ham and cheese sandwich, sometimes with Bechamel sauce, except the cheese is melted on top. I remember the first one I had at the boulangerie behind the apartment was by far the most delicious. It wasn't a typical sandwich, it might have been on different bread instead of sandwich bread. Another time I remember having them was after a night at Cosmo. The kebab place was closing but roomie and I convinced them to open the door for us. All they had was croque monsieurs and that was good enough for us! I really want to try a croque madame too because it has an egg on it.

Saucisson is a savory French delicacy. If you want something with your wine, this is an alternative to cheese or you might have both. It's also good to munch on before dinner. I also have to mention that almost every meal is served with some sort of mustard! Another note, salad in France doesn't necessarily come before the entree. I think I prefer it before though, especially because after a salad I still want to eat more, even if I already had my entree!

I wanted to mention one traditional Lyonnais dish that I tried during a nice dinner with our advisor who came to visit from Northeastern. Remember that Lyon considers itself the gastronomic capital of the world. It's no doubt being home to chefs like Paul Bocuse and Marc Veyrat. France prides itself on having the highest and most particular standards for food quality and processing. Quoted from the official website of Lyon: The local culinary specialties are plentiful and varied: pork products and "Cervelle de Canuts" soft cheese with herbs, "bugnes" beignets, fried pork fat, Lyonnais salad, "tablier de sapeur" tripes, "gras double" tripes, "petit salé" ham with lentils, "quenelles" dumplings (a mixture of butter, semolina and fish), black pudding, "andouillette" chitterling sausage, "paillasson" fried hashed potatoes, and more, if you're still hungry!

You have to be aware that I am a very adventurous eater. Refer to my post about Barcelona. I can try almost anything... pig's blood, chicken heart, tripe... Usually, I like it. I can't think of anything I haven't liked. Except chicken feet! I do not like the feeling of a claw in my mouth. Anyway, I present to you... andouillette.


Andouillette is a type of French sausage which is made out of pig stomach, colon and intestine. Lyonnais food is known to be made out of parts of the animal which are usually discarded. (This should have been a red flag.) When I read tripe on the menu, I wasn't so turned off because I've had it before. Okay, maybe tripe at dim sum isn't the same but I was surprised when I found that I really like it. I can't say that this was my favorite French thing ever. Actually, it's the complete opposite.

You cut open the sausage and you can see the intestine as if it had just come out of the animal. Graphic, I know. But let me tell you, it's not even half as bad as seeing it in real life. I'm not big on 'marketing' as mon bebe d'amour calls it when it comes to food. I'm not picky. The one thing that really made it hard for me to eat was the smell. As Wikipedia says, the 'feces-like aroma can be attributed to the common use of the pig's colon in the sausage'. Yeah, delishh. Even when I tell French friends that I have tried andouillette, they give me this grossed out 'oh-you-shouldn't-have' look.

Before I kill your appetite completely, let me end with something sweet! The apple tarts that maman makes on Sundays is very good. The tarte au framboise at the boulangerie downstairs is also amazing. I wasn't a fan of raspberries until mon cheri came along. He's a huge berry fan... He loves cassis which is also a popular flavor here for jam or glace 'ice cream' ! I don't think it's as popular in the States and for a long time we weren't sure what it translates to but it's black currant. Very yummy. And then last but not least, my favorite... macaroons! I've only had them from Paul bakery and I love it. Soft but crunchy cookies filled with flavorful creme. I'm afraid to try it anywhere else because I don't want it to disappoint me! Must try Laduree though! Paris in just two weeks! Can't wait!

Becoming a Mademoiselle, Part Deux

As I mentioned when I first came here, my goal was to embody the French spirit and lifestyle. I'm not sure how well of a job I have been doing though. I might be living a more French life with French habits but my perspective is still most definitely American. I don't feel much different. I just do things a little different now.

Mon cheri tells me I'm not that much more French now than before. Supposedly, I'm not that different (from other French girls my age) to begin with though. I wear similar clothes, listen to the same music, I think about the same things. The only thing is I can't speak French. Well, c'est pas completement vrai.

The Language
I'm not fluent in French. That is for sure. But I really think the whole immersion has had an effect on me. I can really grasp the topic of a conversation at most times. The combination of class and social situations has helped so much in regard to learning how to say things which are relevant to everyday life. I do have an advantage, of course, with bebe d'amour teaching me new phrases daily.

The Slim Body
I haven't gotten the thin French girl thing down at all. I've gotten flubbier... it's probably not a word but that's the only way I can describe how I feel. With all the sweets and late night snacks (due to irregular sleeping habits), it's inevitable. I haven't gained much weight though. 50 kilogs last time I checked and that's around 110 pounds. So, not bad, technically.

The Smoking
If you know me, I'll never be okay with the constant smoking habit that French people are notorious for. A lot of them know it's bad for them but a lot of it has to do with being social. It's easier to tolerate now. Not that it's a good thing. Before, I couldn't stand being in the same room with people smoking. I'm starting to think it's how the French stay thin. Eh...

The Wine
French kids don't drink wine. When we get invited to a party and it's bring-your-own... we are always reminded not to bring wine. They prefer vodka or beer. I can do that. I'm a beer girl. But it's an American thing. I have acquired the wine taste a bit more. I do enjoy wines that have more age and body to them. I used to think I preferred red but I like white now too.

About The Author

So a little bit about me... in case you didn't already know... since we are making it a point to be a bit more personal... Reflection is good for the soul and it's good that you really know who you are inside.

Fact #1:
I'm an all or nothing kind of person. I don't like anything gray or in between. I don't like to half-ass anything. I will be either really into it or not at all. When I'm giving it my all, I think about it all day long and I make it my priority. So you know if I'm truly dedicated to something, I'll put in 110% and there is no doubt about it.

Fact #2:
I think big. I'm a dreamer. I have crazy ideas and they explode into even bigger ideas. I don't think that there is anything that is impossible and nothing can get in my way. When I have an idea... it's not a simple one. It has to be the biggest and best thing there is. I won't settle for less.

Fact #3:
I like details. Everything has an effect on the bigger picture. I am meticulous (yeah, maybe even anal) in anything I do. I won't put my name on it if it isn't perfect. I like to plan things, even the small things. But I have learned that even when things don't go your way... it's not always a bad way.

Fact #4:
I'm indulgent. I admit, I fall in love easily. When I'm crazy about something, I have to have it all the time. I can't say no. Whether it's being around a person, listening to a song, wearing something, eating something. Yeah, I might get sick of it... but at that moment, it's the best thing ever and nothing can compare. You deserve to indulge every once in a while. It's all about balance. My current indulgence: pistachio macaroons from Paul bakery. (Okay, you got me. It's an addiction...)

Fact #5:
You don't want to get on my bad side. I guess it's not something that I'm most proud about myself but it's a fact, nonetheless. It's something my girls have been known to say about me since high school. I'm the first to give people second chances. I am all about forgiving. I accept every and anyone... good, bad, weird, imperfections and all. The one thing I cannot do, is turn around once the line has been crossed. There are only so many things I you can ask me to tolerate... Don't get me wrong, I'll still be nice. I'm not confrontational nor malicious. It takes a lot for me to get this way but once it's all said and done, there is nothing you can do to change my mind. Your loss, not mine.


P.S. I don't know how often people read my posts but it's very normal for me to re-read posts and make changes multiple times. I like to edit my wording so don't be surprised if you see something different after you already read it once!

It's Getting a Little Personal

My posts, that is. I find that I tried to be very unemotional in this blog because I knew the possible audience I had. I can't help but keep writing about things that pull a little harder at the strings in my heart. It's this experience. It's not just the things I'm seeing, the language I'm learning, or the cities I'm visiting. It's how it makes me feel. These emotions are what change me and how I see things. The places I see and the history I learn will always remain here. But what I take with me is the knowledge of life and the odd ways in which it works. Everyone learns these lessons at one point or another. I have a feeling that I've heard these things before but for some reason... being here, I can see it more clearly.

Lesson #1: Let it go.

You have to realize that in life you can't control everything. You can't change people. You can't change what happened. You are bound to be disappointed. I have to say it is one of the worst feelings ever. When you try to hang on and ask yourself why it happened or what you could have done differently, you do nothing but cause yourself more distress. But, fact of the matter is, you don't need it. You don't need people who give you grief. You don't need to remember what made you so upset. Don't let it consume you. Let it go and you'll be so much happier.

Lesson #2: There will always be people to judge you.

Tough. I have always had the hardest time understanding this idea. I am the type who will hear something terrible about you and yet I will still try to get to you know you myself before I make any sort of opinion. So, it doesn't make sense to me how people think they have any right to judge you for something you did. You can make mistakes. We all do. It doesn't make you a bad person. But not everyone thinks this way and you can't run away from it. You just have to learn how to keep your cool and not let it get to you. There's no need to defend yourself. Be confident with your actions and who you are.


Been meaning to post this one for a while...
Just wasn't sure when was the best time.
Lessons to be continued...

Bonjour & Bisous

Bisous /bi.zu/
n. kisses

In the States, daily hugs and kisses when you see your friends is a bit... I hate to say it this way... but 'high school'. I remember it was a lot more common to give a friend a kiss on one cheek when you saw them in the halls between classes and usually it's someone you're pretty comfortable/close to. In college, this doesn't happen as much. Hugs are given when you haven't seen a good friend for a while, but that's it. It's really not common to give kisses on the cheek to someone, especially if you see them all the time.

In France, this is completely the opposite. The French greet their friends and acquaintances each day with two kisses, one on each cheek. It's really considered rude to not address every person when you meet with a group of people or anyone. If you're at a party and there are 20 people in the room, you will make your rounds and kiss everyone. Another thing is that when you 'kiss', you must be sure that it's an air-kiss and that your lips don't touch the person's cheek or you might be sending the wrong idea.

I may be considered a 'cold' person. I've often been told that when I am walking by myself, I look very serious and that perhaps I should smile more. When I am alone, I tend to not look around so much or pay attention to what's going on or who is around me. It's not often that I stop to say hello if I am on my way somewhere. It's not that I don't want to say hi, but I'm just not walking around to looking for you to say hi. I'm just trying to get somewhere. If I'm not in a rush and in a friendly mood, then sure, I will stop to talk to a friend. And again, the kisses don't usually happen.

Sometimes, especially in the morning, I'm kind of grouchy and I don't want to be bothered. I walk really quickly and hope no one stops me to say hi because I'm just not in a chatting kind of mood. I'm not being mean. I just want my space. I don't want people always in my face and socializing just because I'm out in public. I'm not that kind of person. I don't need to do it 24/7. To be honest, it's suffocating.

Mon cheri actually likes to scold me when I don't say hi and give kisses when we arrive or meet someone. I can understand because people are getting a not so great impression of me. But then again, I wish people would understand that I'm not always comfortable giving kisses to people I don't feel like I'm good friends with. And then I feel my cheeks turn pink as he points out that I'm not being nice and that I should give them kisses. It's almost as bad as when people ask me to say something in French.

You would think it's a simple thing to just pick up and learn how to do. I get the whole concept. It's so much harder to do every day though. And trust me, it happens every day. I try to adapt and I want to be cultured. But I guess it's the American in me and I never realized how hard it would actually be. Who knew such habits were ingrained so strongly in my personality. I get this feeling of discomfort and I'm not sure if I should just ignore it. Will they notice whether or not I did the bisous thing? Will they really care?

It's not that I don't like doing the whole 'bisous' thing. I actually really like the idea and it's very cordial. It gives you a consistent way to say hello so there is no awkward, "Should I hug or kiss you today?" I find myself keeping an eye out when I am out now or about to be somewhere and I know I will see friends. I push myself to take initiative and make conversation. There is a part of me, though, that just doesn't feel like me. Or maybe this is what I wanted? To be 'French'... to become a mademoiselle...

Carpe Diem

A good friend asked me the other day... "So when does the countdown to your return begin?" I have 50 days. It's kind of a bad way to look at things but in order to seize the day... I need to be aware of how many days I have left to seize, no?

Things to do before I leave:
- Bowling with French friends
- Picnic at Tete d'Or
- Visit Cote d'Azur & Annecy
- Mail out postcards! Agh!
- Rendez-vous avec Kat
- Buy a pair of super cute skinny jeans

Things that I will miss in Lyon:
- Paul's pistachio macaroons
- Our local bakery
- Le fromage et le saucisson
- My favorite Cefamiens/Cefamiennes :P
- The cleanest metro ever
- Being able to travel in Europe for relatively cheap
- Everything that makes this city beautiful
- Afternoon errands and window shopping
- Finding new places to eat

Things I look forward to doing when I get back:
- Asking mom to make me some bibimbap
- Taking my brothers out to dinner & a movie
- Seeing my kids and my sisters
- Passing out some souvenirs!
- Go eat dim sum & def Flor de Mayo
- Hitting up the clubs in NYC
- Catching up with my girls
- Eating some form of Pinkberry
- Shopping like nuts with the weak ass US Dollar
- Living with my Room again!
- Making up for lost time in Boston
- Watching the Yankees play
- DRIVING!
- Getting a good manicure: apparently, polish isn't included in french manicures? its friggin extra... dude who does that... the point of getting a manicure is to get your nails painted! the filing and hand massage are supposed to be the included part! erg!

As I'm writing these lists... you are probably noticing as well as I am that the third list is growing much more quickly than either of the first two... Also notice... much of the important things revolve around food... :)

Nothing Makes You More Homesick...

Than being sick.

Last Wednesday night, I got a bad headache which I tried to sleep off. I ended up waking up and throwing up everything I had for dinner. TMI, sorry. The next day in school, I felt dizzy and my temperature kept changing from hot to cold. Friday was better, I thought, but over the weekend I kept feeling nauseous still. Last night, I woke up so many times. It was more than a handful. I tried to keep eating to a minimum today. I only had cereal, crackers and water but whatever I eat I can feel it going through my system. My entire stomach gurgles and it doesn't stop. So no dinner for me. I'm starting to think it's a stomach flu. Luckily, a friend knows an American doctor in Lyon, so perhaps I will have to pay a visit. Grr. (Okay, I will definitely call! :P)

So being sick when you're not home really sucks. This happened once really badly in Boston as well. You feel alone and helpless. I just want my mom and some homemade food like bibimbap. I'm not one to get homesick so much. But it hits me most unexpectedly. Usually I just miss the food but after speaking with a friend, I felt the tears filling my eyes and I miss everything. Driving, the radio, TV, my friends, favorite restaurants, familiar surroundings... I know that nothing will compare to life in Lyon once I leave. I'm not one to get homesick. People ask me if it's hard to be away from home. And honestly, I wanted to go far away and I'm used to being on my own. I like it. It's just surprising that after two and a half months it's finally getting to me. It always does.

Mon cheri, ironically, learned about being homesick in management today. And apparently, I fit the bill to a tee. You tend to eat a lot. I did this like crazy before I got sick. I had cravings so bad, especially for brownies, you would have thought I was preggo. (Which I am not... I swear!!) You get sleepy all the time. Even after hours of sleep, I have trouble waking up and I can fall asleep just about anywhere, anytime. I've had this back pain that you can't massage away even after days. It's sort of like a depression so it makes sense I guess but it's really strange.

I've gotten much better. You would think that keeping myself is enough to make me forget about the homesickness. It's actually much harder than you'd think. It's difficult not to wish I was back at home with everyone. My brothers were in CATS and they were so proud of it. What kind of sister misses that? I won't be able to see the 2nd show of my Celebr(Asian) dream baby. It makes me really sad. I know everyone at home is doing fine. Not much will have changed. It's only 4 months right? Maybe almost five...

I'm told that I should feel lucky to have this opportunity and that I should be taking advantage of my time left in Lyon. A lot of people would give anything to be in my shoes right now. And I do feel lucky! You can even read my other posts and it says that. It's just hard to ignore this longing to have the things that are so many miles away. But my life has changed drastically since I left to come here. I'm excited about being back at home and in Boston come June but I'm not sure how I will deal with all of the differences. It will be overwhemling. I guess, only time will tell.

A Place to Call Home

I was born in New York and grew up in New Jersey. I go to school in Boston and now I am studying abroad in Lyon, France. It can be a bit confusing when people ask me... Where are you from? (Not to mention the fact that I first need to figure out if they mean what ethnicity I am because that is often the case.) I remember when I first fell in love with Boston and told my mom "I'm going home", she thought I meant back to Jersey. And just the other day when I updated my Facebook and said that I was "finally home", an adorable friend of mine thought I meant the States. I can basically call all of these places home after having lived there for a good amount of time.

I was definitely a Jersey girl when I first left home and I remember people pointing out my accent when I said certain words like talk and water. Being around a lot more people and having to work, the accent has faded and only comes back when I'm with friends at home. I wouldn't consider myself a Bostonian by any means. I'm not a Sox or Pats fan. But I really love Boston, the city itself. It does get a tad cold (okay, a lot more than a tad) but summers are wonderful and it's so close to the Cape. I love that it's small enough that it's easy to get anywhere you want. I love that it has really great food... and any kind you want. You have the Common, the Charles, Newbury Street... I am so excited to go back!! I don't think I will live in Boston after graduation so I only really have my senior year left to live there. But there will definitely be a special place for it in my heart and every chance I get to go back will be a time to appreciate.

On our trips to different European cities, we tend to compare the different cultures and lifestyles. We talk about which are our favorite cities and which we could see ourselves living in. I wasn't too crazy about hearing Italian everywhere, maybe because I don't understand it... but I prefer French. The food is good in Italy and Spain for sure. There might be an ocean closer. The weather might be warmer more often. One place might feel more like city and have more sights to see. Still I'm not convinced. I don't know I might be a tad biased... ;) But I think I'm growing a very strong affinity for Lyon. I wouldn't trade my city for any other European city. We have two beautiful rivers, picturesque architecture, a breathtaking basilica with a view of the whole city... An awesome soccer team, a great shopping district... cute little cobblestone streets with good restaurants... from what I hear a very nice park and then the cleanest and fastest metro system I have seen yet! It's not too large where you'll get lost and it still has a very French feel... meaning it isn't too touristy. I think that is really important for me to feel like I'm living somewhere with a sense of community and not just living among tourists. It wouldn't be the same if I lived here longer or if the people were different... but I'm happy that for now I can call Lyon home and I truly mean it.

I'm a little sad that two months have already passed... this means I only have two months left! It goes by too quickly. I do see myself returning to Lyon some day. Again, most likely not to live but to visit and perhaps spend a holiday. I like getting fresh bread everyday. I love that you can find tulips everywhere! I'm getting used to having cheese that isn't like American or Cheddar. I didn't think I could but it's not so bad without American snack foods and other things. Don't get me wrong... I crave oreos all the time and could kill for some dim sum. Oh and I find it odd that I love applesauce now and I never did before. But I don't think that the culture shock really makes me miss home that much. What I miss are the people I love at home but I'm getting used to life here and these differences are slowly becoming really normal. The weird flushers and... the different sized money... (I'm having a hard time thinking of differences!) I can hardly even tell anymore... maybe except for the weird cloth paper towels in public bathrooms... eek.

I completely understand that not everyone feels this way and I don't expect them to agree. And I would have to say that if circumstances were even slightly different that I could think the total opposite. Even when I was in Boston, I can't say I took advantage of how much I could do and experience there and that's what makes my return something to look forward to! The one thing I wanted from my study abroad was to make the most of it and to be happy every moment that I can. There are difficult times and it isn't always easy but the best part is that the good things totally outweigh the bad and that is what makes it all worth it. I couldn't ask for more. I really am a lucky girl.

And I'm Back!

So, I am finally back from my spring break. Sorry to my avid readers for the long hiatus. ;) It was a really great time. I visited 6 cities over a span of 9 days with 10 other people whose company I enjoyed. Although, I have to say that this was not your typical Cancun-esque spring break. It was a lot of work and sightseeing. It was quite costly and exhausting so I will definitely rethink the next couple months I have left in France. The trip wasn't as relaxing as you would think because I was constantly on the go but I am lucky that I had an opportunity to see all that I did.

Where I went: Rome, Venice, London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Luxembourg

Here are a peek at my photos because I know some of you don't like the wordy posts. :) The photo links for the Facebook albums have been updated too.

the colosseum

the forum

pizza in italia

gelato

football

the pantheon

the trevi fountain

cappuccino

venezia

adorable kids in san marco

yummy hot chocolate

my venetian mask

big ben

the tube

amsterdam

the redlight district

The Time of Your Life

Bonsoir from Paris! I'm here blogging in my old roomie's apartment. Christina is an international business major at NU and has spent the last several months studying at CESEM in Reims, France. She has just moved to Paris with a fellow IB-er Madeline (and also a fellow Stetson East 3rd floor dweller!) to do a six month internship. It's nice to be talking to old friends and to also compare study abroad experiences with them. We've talked about how this has affected our plans for after graduation. We are sharing how we think it will be when we go back home to Boston.

I think that being here has made us realize how different life really is in new places and how much each of us is able to tolerate those differences. The time and efficiency to getting things done is much slower than in the States. At home, everything is about convenience and it is definitely fast paced. A lot of stores aren't open on Sundays... which is when most use as our day for errands since the weekdays are usually busy. It's quite impossible to get anything you need especially food in the late hours of the night. You have to wait weeks sometimes for your administrative issues to be dealt with. It is hard to cope with but you can also see that in France... it forces you to get these sorts of things over with during the week. That way you can really enjoy the weekend and not use it to take care of trivial things.

Christina and Madeline had to take a study abroad class before they came to France. They learned about the phases involved and the transition periods. Their professor said that it would be difficult returning home because we will unknowingly 'brag' about our life abroad and that our friends at home won't be so interested to constantly hear about it. It is understandable but I think it will be so hard to not think about this life you've had for the last several months and the memories you've grown so fond of. If anything, I want to keep it fresh in my mind as long as possible and to cherish it while I can...

It is also surprising to see how much this experience has changed us. We think we can't speak the language. It's pretty true but the immersion really works, even a little bit at a time. We might not be able to articulate our thoughts and understand every word. It can be hard to sit with a group of people who are conversing in French and you feel like such an outsider. But it's starting to become familiar and for the most part you can get a general idea of what they are talking about.= I find that I fumble with simple English words sometimes. Like I will say the wrong words or pronounce something really wrong. One instance was where I said satisfication... It's supposed to be satisfaction. I knew there was something wrong with what I said but I couldn't figure out what I said until someone pointed it out. Learning new languages really messes with your head so I really respect people who are completely fluent in multiple languages. I'm really hoping my kids can be really cultured and speak like 5 languages!! (Not sure how I'm going to accomplish that... but I'm working on it!)

Post-graduation seems to be a hot topic as well. Where you start your career can be crucial. But another thought is that... being fresh out of college can be the only time you can move your life to different places without affecting much besides yourself. You won't have a family that you have to work around. It's not easy of course to have jobs that will give you these opportunities or to make decisions about how long you would like to stay at a job. I personally don't like things to be too routine and I get uber restless so I wouldn't mind a change every year or so. You can't plan everything but you can try to set goals for yourself and I can definitely feel things changing in my mind since I've been here.

This wasn't an easy post for me... it took me a while to get everything out... but I think these topics can be discussed further. Until then, bonne nuit!

Making Friends

I find that things have changed a bit since we first started our lives in France. Since we came back from Barcelona, it seems that many of us have more interest in speaking French more often and spending more time with the French students at CEFAM. I am really enjoying that. At first it was quite intimidating making friends with the French because of course they speak it a majority of the time. But class actually helps and the French students are so sincere. Many of them will be coming to the States to study as well so it will be really great to see them again. I must admit that I have become a NU spokesperson trying to persuade all the kids to go there. Also, it probably makes them feel more secure knowing that there will be a familiar face when they go abroad.

I really look forward to going to school just to see them. I can't say the same for the learning part though. It's very interesting talking to them because you are always learning something new and it is truly refreshing. Now that I can recognize faces and I remember names, it is a lot easier. I'm really hoping that we can get to hang out outside of school, maybe even travel. Just to mix things up. I think it would be oodles of fun! Maybe I'll even look into planning something fun for my favorite French people... :)

This weekend we spent a lot of time not just with each other which is very normal... but with our new French friends and it was so much fun! It definitely makes for more interesting events and conversation but I love all of it. I have to really agree with roomie when she brought up the fact that we really want to use our weekends to travel but the more we get to know and like these people... the more we want to stay and spend as much time with them as we can before we leave our beautiful Lyon. Time is proving that having to leave all this behind will be difficult for all of us... heartbreaking, for sure.

Je suis amoureuse de Barcelone

"I am in love with Barcelona..."
(Thanks Marion!)

Our group took a mini vacation this past weekend to Barcelona. It was nice to get away from Lyon and the French life for a bit. That city is absolutely beautiful. I can't say we had the most perfect time there. It was colder than expected and even rained quite a bit. We were only there a short time so we spent as much time as we could exploring which was very exhausting. We were only there about 2 days but it felt like at least 3. We walked almost 15 miles and we didn't get to see everything we hoped to but it's alright.


I don't know where to begin telling you about Barcelona. I just love it. It must be gorgeous in summer. The architecture is just my style, very Mediterranean. The doors are giant and ornate. The buildings are colorful with adorable balconies. What I really love are the palm trees, especially the short ones with the fat trunks! Whenever the sun would peek out of the clouds, I would have the biggest smile on my face and I felt like I was walking on clouds.

The shopping there is tres fantastique! On Passeig de Gracia, where we stayed, there was everything from Burberry to Diesel to Valentino. They had the most fashionable window displays. We didn't dare look inside but even from the outside we fell in love with these outfits. It was like the 5th Ave of Barcelona. The Spanish brands are tres chic as well! It would be a great place to take a shopping spree!

The food in Espana is so rich... The paella and tapas... mmmm! The sangria is juicy and refreshing. We found one restaurant. It is very nice and is designed to look upscale but has fair prices. We heard great reviews from friends, guidebooks and websites so we tried it out. The line starts before it even opens at 8:30 pm! It gets quite long! Les Quinze Nits is located in the beautiful Placa Reial. It is almost all tourists though and the service was so rude. Meg and I tried the arroz negro which is made in the unpleasant looking black sauce which is cuttlefish ink. It looks digusting actually but it is really tasty. It is a unique dish to this part of Spain so I'm glad we had the guts to try it. I would not recommend it for a first date though. And for dessert the crema catalan had a texture that was sort of like pudding and very sweet. I think I like flan better. But overall, good dinner.


Las Ramblas and La Boqueria are so vibrant and lively! It was Carneval and so people everywhere were dressed up in costumes, masks, wigs, face paint... even market vendors! The side shopping is quite touristy but down the middle is where the street vendors are. Starting from the top, it shifts from birds, to flowers, to artists... my favorite section. I was so tempted to buy these scenic watercolors and also these oil paintings of Spanish dancers. The colors were vivid and the dancers poses were so strong. Maybe one day I'll go back and buy a large one to hang in my house.

Akshay & Meg

The one downside is that it is quite commercial because of the thousands of tourists who flock to Barcelona. We didn't get to see the beach, only Port Vell, so that was a bummer. Also, we went to Placa Espanya to see the Magic Fountain lit with colors that plays music but apparently it is turned off on Sundays. Even bigger bummer. I could have probably done without some place we went but I'm glad I did see them anyway.

This was the first time most of us had ever stayed at a hostel. It was a great pick! Recently restored I believe. It offered free breakfast and there was a bar at night so you could drink before going out. We had a 14 person room and it was all bunk beds which were fun. It was like being at camp again. Haha. There could have been more showers in the bathroom but anyway... You have to pay to borrow blankets and such so most of us roughed it out in the free sheets so it was a bit cold. Luckily, sleeping in a room with 14 people including some strangers wasn't too horrible.

One of my most favorite things is Parc Guell designed by the famous Antoni Gaudi. His contemporary gothic pieces are quite unique. We fell in love though with his mosaic. We were obsessed. The building a block away from our hostel was exquisite. The entire facade was mosaic and the colors were not overwhelming. Subtle yet very ornate. Back to the park. The real reason I wanted to see this park is because America's Next Top Model's Season 7 Finale runway show was done there. I wasn't ever a fan of mosaic because honestly, I thought it was a bit tacky.

This entire park is mosaic. Even the stone structures are stone mosaic. It is absolutely breathtaking. The landscape is so lush and green even during the winter! You have a view of the city of Barcelona. The ceilings, the walls, the stairs, the infamous bench and reptile sculpture... all of it was meticulously done. One of our girls mentioned she would have her wedding here in the future and I felt like I was thinking the same thing. I think it would be even better at night and I could just imagine it all softly lit and glowing. What a perfect place for a Spanish soiree...


Sighhh, I miss it so much already... Te amo Barcelona...

Time to Air Out the Dirty Laundry

I'm starting to think this will be necessary... in the most literal sense that is. I just did my first batch of laundry since I have been here and wow! It is expensive! I spent about 15 euros, which is about $22 for just two loads! I used to complain about spending $3 on one load in the States! Another difference is that they use powder or tablets instead of liquid detergent. They don't have nice smelling dryer sheets either. Boo.

I'm beginning to understand why the French re-wear already worn clothes and I'm not just talking jeans. I'm guessing most people in general will wear their jeans a couple of times at least before washing them, unless of course you got a stain on it. Here, I think it happens more often than that. Washing 'delicates' in the sink will be a must from now on. I usually just throw my clothes in a pile in my closet but I guess it's not necessary to wash it after wearing it for just a few hours.

I know that this is a stereotype but I've heard that French people tend to smell because they don't shower often. But as with all stereotypes there must be some truth to this statement. I may have gotten my dad's sensitive nose but really, whenever I'm in a crowd of French people I always notice that it smells... either like cigarettes (I'll get into that another time) or like people... and I'm not the only one who notices! It's not always strong B.O. That happens anywhere, I'm sure. But just this faint smell of people. Not really a good kind of smell either. I'm really conscious about wearing perfume and I feel naked when I notice that I have forgotten to put it on some days. I find that scent can be one of the most attractive (and unattractive) qualities in a person.

A little ironic, but I was reading a book while at the laundromat. Words in a French Life by Kristin Espinasse. She is an American with a French husband and children living in Provence. She also has a blog French Word A Day. She writes short stories about words she has learned and have a significant meaning or memory. In one chapter, her belle-mere 'mother in law' was telling her that until a while ago French people used to take sponge baths. They would put water in a large bowl to wash themselves. She also joked that the Lyonnais were the smelliest but then again she is from Lyon herself!

I have gotten pretty used to not having a shower head above my head. The one thing that bothers me though is the inconsistent supply of hot water. Each morning I hope really hard that hot water will come out of the faucet. It's moody. Maybe it depends on how many people are showering at that moment or the time of day. I don't know... but I can not shower without hot water. And, I need to shower every day in the morning or I won't feel awake and productive. So, even if I decide to compromise my laundry habits, I will need to figure out a more effective way to have hot showers every morning.

And... did I mention that I made my first real laundry faux pas today? I forgot that my relatively new wool sweater from Banana Republic was in my pile of clothes. After it was in the wash, I didn't think to take anything out so I tossed it into the dryer. What a huge mistake. I took a small black clump of hard wool out of the dryer thinking "I don't own anything like this..." then I looked at the tag and realized what I had done. I mean, I've had things that are dry clean only and sometimes I admit I'm lazy about washing them with care but I've never had anything this bad. I couldn't even recognize it and its crocheted neckline looked like it was never there. The material is so rough now that I could probably use it to wash my dishes. How sad.

Odd

look qt hoz i type: isnùt it zeird: school stinks: ze hqve nothing to do: se,inqr zeek is gqy: so pointless: their keyboqrds qre odd: even the periods hqve to be entered zith q shift: qnd other sy,bols need qlt gr or zhqtever: i cqnùt tqke french ti,e so,eti,es: it is auite sloz: but i guess this is better thqn school: lucky for ,e i hqve the coolest friends ever: to keep ,e co,pqny: M0::: thqt zqs supposed to be q s,iley fqce: boo i cqnùt believe ze hqve to do this qll zeek11 if i zere to hqve typed the right letters it zould hqve tqken ,e forever qnd i zould be typing like q grq,nd,q zhoùs never seen q co,puter:

okqy lqter gqtor:

[edit]: look i took a picture of it! can you see the difference? it feels more awkward than it seems...

Becoming a Mademoiselle

Before I came here, I figured that one of my goals would be to embody the French spirit. I wanted to live like the French, eat and drink like the French, talk like the French and (most importantly) dress like the French. (Haha, I kid... sort of.) I can't say that I've gotten everything down pat about how the French live their lives yet. But I can say that I am starting to see how my life is shaping here in France.

Life here in France is becoming very "normal". If feels as though this is how I have been living my life for a while already. I have grown so close with the people that I live with. I don't feel out of place at all. I have to admit that even though it has only been two weeks here, I will be truly heartbroken to leave my life here. We only have about 4 months to be students, to be friends, to live together... We can always return and we can always keep in touch but it won't be the same. I am so grateful for the time I have been given here. I used to think that this was something that I had earned but I feel lucky to have this opportunity.

Last night, we went back to the Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière that has a view of all of Lyon. It is so much more beautiful at night, just like the Eiffel Tower was when I first saw it. This time, we didn't walk up the stairs to the church but instead a long winding road. We brought some 'vin' (wine) with us to help make the hike easier. It's a funny story but the gates were closed while we were there so we had to climb these tall gates and clumsy me, I scraped my knee. Boo. Now when I try to bend my knee I can feel my skin stretching and it hurts like a little biatch. Battle wound.


The metro closes sometime after midnight so our options were to either cab it or walk. We walked, of course. It took us somewhere around 3 hours? Twice as long as walking back from Hotel de Ville. So about 3 miles? We took a pit stop to grab a bite to eat at this 'boulangerie' (bakery) that is open 24 hours. We got a decent deal for 5 euros: a sandwich, drink & dessert. Chocolate flan is disgusting. The owner talked to us about Americans owning guns. Weird. Vieux Lyon has some great pubs that we need to visit. We also need to watch the sun rise.


Oh yeah, roomie and I decided to dye our hair earlier yesterday to give ourselves a more French persona. Or at least one that is different from our normal American ones. The French have all different hair colors so there isn't one that will make us more French. Roomie's isn't as red or dark as she'd like. My roots came out better than the rest so we might have to do another box. We'll probably go back to normal when we go home but it's a fun change for now.

Need to clean. Take advantage of the sunny weather. Parc de la Tete d'Or? Good idea.

Phrase of the week: Allons-y! (Let's go!)

Photos courtesy of Jesse Johnston

Here to Study?

Oh yes, that is correct. It is a fact that we often tend to forget. We have made it through our very first week in France and we've loved every minute of it. But reality is here knocking at the door, saying "Hey, it's time to go to school now!" Boo.

Today was the first day of class. Some of us had class. We had to go pick up our schedules and buy our books. It was extra interesting because Mondays are CEFAM's alternate campus days. We share our building with other schools. Luckily our group didn't have class. We spent a lot of time trying to find the other building. In the rain.

As always, things are a bit different here. CEFAM doesn't have a bookstore so the vendor brings them all the first day. Also note, when you choose classes, it's not like having a list of times and professors. You just pick courses and they'll let you know if there is any time conflicts. So any changes are complicated because you can't do them yourself. Add the fact that we're international students, meaning you have to go through NU too. They're flexible and try to give your optimal travel time on weekends though.

They're a little slower in France. Not to be mean, but we're still waiting on things we thought we would have when we got there. We've been spending extra money on the metro because we haven't gotten school IDs. You need your school ID or else you can't get a discounted student pass. We also don't have our school login information so we won't be able to use the school computers. They have funny keyboards too. The letters are all moved around and it's not QWERTY. You have to check every week to see where your classes are because the room assignments are always different. Also, it's not a consistent schedule where every Tue and Fri is at whatever time. You might have one class at 8am on Wed and then 2pm on Thu. Or you might have one class for 3 hours on Mon.

It is all a little confusing but I'm hoping that it's simpler than it seems. Looking forward to meeting more of the French students and making friends with them. They are quite stylish for just going to class. Note to self: hurry up and find a cropped jacket while it's still sale month! Oh and there is a great pizza place around the corner from our other school! Great for sharing with a cool roomie! :)

Not Too Shabby...

I must say, for being in Lyon only 3 days... we're not doing so bad!

We've had lots of discoveries, mishaps, laughs... everything.

Things we've learned...
- Expect meals to be long. Real long. "Drinks" are also long... Things are a lot slower here and I knew that before I got here... but I still can't help being an impatient person. The French don't drink to get drunk. They can sit in places for a couple hours just drinking and talking... Service for anything tends to be slow. I have to work on patience as I tend to get restless...
- Being in a large group also means a lot of waiting. We're spending a lot of time together. It's fun. Can you feel the love?
- The hardest thing to understand is numbers. The price of things. They talk fast but that's the most important thing you need to find out. How much you're spending! At first you hand them big bills and they'll give you change. But then you accumulate all these euro coins which they use a lot of. Makes your pockets heavy so you have to learn to give exact change.
- At the grocery store, you need to price your own produce. Like fruits. You weigh them and get a sticker with the price.
- January is the season for sales everywhere. As the weeks go by, the discounts get higher and higher! Time to go shopping!

Little things we noticed...
- The metro doors open before it completely stops. So don't lean on the doors!
- The flushers on toilets are all weird and different. Push down, pull up. You never know.
- They don't have paper towels... just revolving cloths that other people have already wiped their hands on. Yuck.
- Some people like to really dress up for school.
- Our shower head is in the middle of our shower so you have to hold it above your head while you're showering. Not fun. I got water all over the bathroom floor. And even some in my room. :(
- French people have tighter personal space than Americans. They don't mind standing close to you. Even strangers on the street and on the metro.
- Also, they tend to stand there when you're about to bump into each other. Instead of moving left or right.
- We tend to refer to things as their American counterparts. T, Subway, Dollar... Must learn to stop that.

Most commonly used phrases thus far: Bonjour, Bonsoir, Merci, Je voudrais..., Pardon!

Here we are! Here we are!

We've made it! We are officially in Lyon, France. The trip was pretty tiring. We could barely get any sleep with the super uncomfortable airplane chairs and probably moreso because of our excitement. The flight was fun because we got to sit in a row and watch whatever movies we wanted, listen to music or play games. I was hoping to sleep a little bit more on the plane since it was an evening flight but no such luck. When we got to Amsterdam, our layover, at around 8 am we were all exhausted and had no energy to wander around the airport.

I don't know if it was just anxiety but I definitely felt very nauseous at times and the airplane food just did not sit well in my stomach. A bottle of water cost 1,40 euros and brunch was 7,60. Ouch. We had to finish the water quick because we realized there was another checkpoint where no liquid was allowed. We immediately started to notice the small differences being in a new country. The second flight from Amsterdam to Lyon was on a very small plan with 4 people in a row. It was short and basically everyone napped. We were happy to arrive in a sunny Lyon where it wasn't too cold. The bus and metro ride were a little tough with all of our luggage. Oh yeah, and the apartment only has stairs where our rooms are on the 3rd to 5th floors! Quite the hike!

We got to meet Paul and Sharon who are just so pleasant. The group gets along great and we're getting to meet the rest of the students from the other universities. It gets hard to remember everyone and what you learn about them. Our rooms are nice! The showers are a little different. Hmm. We had our 'first dinner' and we came into our first run-in with miscommunications trying to speak French. We'll figure it out. We have so much to see and do. The possibilities are quite exciting! Looking forward to all of it!